Junior League Leadership Training: Scottsdale, AZ

Me and My Sweet PEE Angela

So, I'm going to be President of the Junior League of Fresno....  This is actually happening very soon.
For now I am "PE" President-Elect and I am trying to make the most of the time I have!

On Wednesday night when I started packing to leave to leave for my Junior League Leadership Conference in Arizona, Patrick started to grumble.  He was going to miss me.  He didn't want me to go.  He would only see me on Sunday.  His sister joined in his agony.  His brother dismissed me with a wave of his hand, "I'll be ok."

I've learned a lot of lessons in my Junior League tenure.  One of the most important lessons that is echoed again and again (and at this conference once again) is the need to take time for yourself and do things for yourself.  I know that we are supposed to pretend that we have an endless tank of love and attention and motherly motherness to give...  we don't.

So, I packed me bags and headed to Scottsdale with my gorgeous Sweet PEE Angela who is slated to serve as President in 2015-16 after my term ends.  The training was fantastic.  The time to think and reflect was great.  And we may have had a little fun.  I've been accused of "bringing the fun" but these NorCal ladies, collectively we blow the fun up and make it an alternate universe. 

The NorCalRenoHon PE/PEE group. 

One more really important (and hopefully applicable) lessons that I have learned on this journey is the power of knowing and understanding yourself.  I am not good at a lot of things.  So when I envisioned who would be my Sweet PEE, I imagined someone who was a compliment to my strengths and weaknesses.  I got that in Angela!  And now the focus in on self-management.  A challenge as I spiral toward June 2014 but one that I am taking on all of the same.  I am working on not running people over, minimizing my impatience, redirecting my tendencies to over-plan, managing stress (apparently that drives me to disorganization), and making sure I appreciate the team.
Speaking of team.  Here is my fantastic Board Team.

That's where I am.  Ready to learn, try, fail, and try again.  Ready to develop the potential of this girl right here (points to self).

Happy New Year 2014

Happy New Year from the Callahan family.  After a blogging hiatus, I thought you might like a few pictures and updates.

Patrick is growing up before our eyes.  He frequently reminds us to be frugal so that he can go to a four-year university.  He dreams of being married and having kids.  Patrick has a wonderful teacher this year and is enjoying the fourth grade.
Keith is thriving in first grade (yet another wonderful teacher!) and has broken through with his reading.  He spent the fall wrestling and is planning to take a break this winter. 
Lauren is running her preschool and trying to run the house.  Yesterday I heard her tell her brothers, "You aren't the boss of me!"

Seventeen years ago I fell head over heels for this man.  We have lived an incredibly blessed life and even after a crazy year like this one we are even more in love.  As we head into 2014 it feels like a new chapter.  There are still a lot of unknowns with work (not to mention a lot of stress) but we are in this together....forever.

We are looking forward to my brother Ben's wedding in April.  Hopefully some family vacations (Dland?). The end of open enrollment.  The beginning of my Junior League Presidency.  AND..... Kevin's 40th birthday (shhh.  he doesn't know that I'm throwing him the surprise party of his dreams).

First Day of School 2013

Kevin and I were at WalMart (on a protein shake mission) and I told him I need to find another small ice block for lunches.  "The two we have aren't enough?"  Yeah I forgot we had three kids in school too.

Patrick- 4th grade

He was really nervous but his best little friend, Erin is in his class and he's already made lots of new friends.  Including 39 other Raven friends  in his classroom (seriously 40 kids in a class, I bow down to these teachers).  He started cross country yesterday (begrudgingly) and really liked it.  He turns 9 on Monday and he told me last night that he is really going to enjoy 4th grade.  Hooray! 


Keith- 1st grade

Keith wears his worry in such a different way than his brother.   He was definitely a little nervous but  there is nothing like knowing your brother is there with you.  Keith has been full of energy when he gets home.  I thought he would want a nap, shows what I know!  Everything in first grade is VERY exciting.

Lauren- Preschool

This one has been ready.  Before we took her to school yesterday she was already proclaiming that she likes it.  I'm sure she's making an impression. I still find it hard to believe that she spends the day away from me.  It is so weird.

ACK!

Look at my face!

I'm not ready.  The kids have clothes, the boys' hair has been trimmed, the school supplies were purchased and organized weeks ago.... but I'M NOT READY.  I continue to refer to the first day of school as something that will happen at some point in the (distant?) future. 

Big changes for us this year (dig hole, stick head in).  Patrick is an upper grader, Keith is at school all day, and Lauren jets off to the preparatory academy (aka Preschool).  Don't let summer end yet!

We had an amazing summer, including our first family trip since Hawaii four years ago.  We spent a week at the beach and it was so much fun.  Can we go back?

Today when I thought about Lauren eating lunch out of her coveted lunch box without me there, I had flurries in my belly.  When Keith came in for yet another reassuring hug, my heart skipped.  When Patrick worried about the new year, I teared up. 

People keep reminding me that with Lauren at school, I have time.  Well, I don't really know what that means or what to do about that.  It isn't real.

I pray that my children will be lead by the ways of our God and not by the ways of this world.  I pray that they grow and learn and achieve to their full potential.  I pray that there will always be trials to make them better and stronger (I force myself to pray that most days).  I pray that Kevin and I will be strong role models for grace, love, compassion, leadership, integrity, and humor.  And I pray that whatever this new year brings that we grow in our love for one another and our family bond tightens against the icky stuff in this world. 

OK NOW I'M READY!

Visiting Aunt Bev

I am very blessed to have loving Great Aunts.  My mom's aunts are wonderful women with a very special place in my heart.  Most of them are out of state so we don't get to see them often.  But  Aunt Bev is right here in California! She comes to Fresno now and again to visit but this time we decided to pay her a visit in her new house in Roseville.  It was a quick overnight trip but we had a great visit.  We loved her new house and neighborhood.  We had fun playing games, eating, and catching up.  My kids just adore her and so do I.

This trip served as a great warm up for our week long vacation down south.  I didn't even plan it that way!

Backflips and Summer League

There is so much that I could say about the Patrick's swim season.  He's amazing and I am proud sum it up the best.
He's been in the pool Monday through Friday for two hours for swimming and water polo. 

All of his hard work paid off at the Summer Rec League Championships today.

That's a second place finish from the outside lane.  He improved every week and in total took 9 seconds off of his time from the beginning of the season.   He also made it to the finals in breaststroke.  Next year he will dominate in butterfly.

On top of all that he loved playing water polo this summer.  He even scored a whole bunch of goals. 

And read several books and made lots of new friends in between.   One swim season down, many many more to go.

Especially considering that his little sister is half fish.  Last week she taught herself how to do a backflip.  This video is on the big step but she taught herself how to do one off the wall too. She's swimming and she's ready to compete.

On a whim

We don't have a lot of opportunities to pack up the SUV and head to the beach on a whim.  Ok, I can't remember the last time we did that.... But yesterday we did it.  I punched Little Miss Planner Mom in the face and we hit the road with no real plans.  It was fabulous.  I think we are on Day 17 of triple digit heat so we headed to Monterey and highs of 63.

The kids were so excited to go to the aquarium.  Patrick set his alarm for 5:00 am. We spent the whole morning at the aquarium and explored Monterey in the afternoon. 

Taking Lauren to the beach for the first time was the highlight of my day.  Kevin made sure that we went back to the beach we took Patrick to for his first trip.  The boys had fun chasing waves (Keith was soaked) and Lauren loved the sand and water (of course).  I was staying dry and enjoying my family.  At least until Kevin wanted to take a picture of me with the kids. 

 REAL LIFE.  An armful of discarded sweatshirts, Lauren by the armpit, dragging the boys in, and boom I'm soaked.  This is my motherhood.  Wet and wild.  I love it.

Since the planner mom was knocked out, we were short towels and blankets and other things I would usually bring.  We did have extra clothes for most people but sizing was an issue and Keith will forever remember wearing my clothes home.  good times/great memories.